264 SEA-BEAR OF FORSTER. 



upon the pointed rocks on shore, without receiving 

 uny hurt, which may be attributed to their fat 

 easily giving way, and their hide being remarkably 

 tough."* Afterwards, when speaking of them at 

 New Georgia, he observes, " They were all of the 

 kind called Sea-Bears, and not a single Lion with a 

 mane was to be seen among them. They were more 

 fierce than any we had seen at New- Year's Isles, 

 and did not care to run out of our way. The young 

 cubs barked at us, and ran at our heels when we 

 passed, trying to bite our legs."f 



The following notice of what Wood Rogers de- 

 signated Sea-Bears at the Gallapagos Islands bears 

 on their dispositions : " A very large one made at 

 me three several times, and if I had not happened 

 to have had a pike-staff headed with iron, he might 

 have killed me. I was on the level sand when he 

 came open-mouthed at me from the water, as fierce 

 and quick as an angry dog let loose. All the three 

 times he made at me I struck the pike into his 

 breast, which at last forced him to retire into the 

 water, snarling with an ugly noise, and showing his 

 long teeth."J 



These extracts will probably suffice to exhibit the 

 general appearance and habits of this animal. It 

 manifestly appears to be considerably smaller than 

 the Sea- Lion, and at the same time is not so timid, 

 but much more fierce. It would appear to be rather 



Loc. cit. vol. ii. 516-22. f Ib. 529 



In Kerr's Voyages, TO), x. 374. 



